Emperor

Emperor is one of the most well-known and most influential
black metal bands of the nineties, setting the standard for
symphonic Norwegian black metal with their seminal albums
In The Nightside Eclipse and
Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk, both considered essential
releases in their field.
They were also mixed up in the Euronymous/Grishnachh affair
(see the Mayhem for a bit more information on that scene),
leading to the arrests and sentences of two of their major
players (Samoth and Faust).
Nevertheless, they persevered, deciding to retire on a high note
following the release of 2001's Prometheus album.
The members have since concentrated on other bands such as
Zyklon,
Peccatum,
and (most recently)
Ihsahn,
though they have reunited to play some 2006 shows, and may
record again.